Girls in Pakistan Keen for Soccer: Monika
'Pakistan Times' Sports Desk

LAHORE: German football coach Monika Staab’s five-day coaching clinic for women players commenced here on Monday at Wapda Sports Complex, Kot Lakhpat.

Having conducting similar clinics at Karachi and Quetta, the high-profile trainer from Germany’s famous 1.FFK Frankfurt FC has begin the third phase of her useful pursuit.

Former FIFA Referee Arif Siddiqui and Uzma Zaidi are supporting as coordinators at the clinic which will conclude on August 10.

Inaugurated the clinic with a traditional kick, Khalid Mahmood, Vice President, Wapda Sports Board, thanked PFF Chief for awarding this activity to his department.

“ Players from 35 districts of Punjab, Sports Sciences Women Clubs will be learning the finer points of the game under the supervision of an experienced expert”, he said.

Speaking on this occasion, Monika said : “I have come to know that women football in Pakistan is at an early age and the game was kicked off only three years ago due to the personal interest of PFF President, Faisal Saleh Hayat”.

Comparatively, she said, Indian Football Federation started women football game 15 years back.

“The comparison is nothing for me but the main thing is that the ladies soccer is trendy in Pakistan and there is a lot of activity going on to attract girls to take up football as a sport”, she added.

“I noticed in first two phases that girls in this part of world have a love, commitment and eagerness for the game. It’s a healthy sign keeping in view the cultural barriers as a Muslim nation”, she asserted.

Her next assignment will begin from August 11- 15, when she will start training girls from Peshawar, FATA, Northern Areas, AJK and Islamabad regions.●